Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-07-02
A TRUE HELPMATE.


in his voice, sang Evan Davies, as he was
borne by his brave-spirited horse at a rat
ting pace along the highroad beneath the
shadow of Plinlimmon, bound on an errand
sufficient in itself 10 make the soberest
minded OF mankind burst into some out
ward manifestation of high spirits. For
had he not, only the day before, been an
swered certain question in such wise as
a foregone conclusion, since the maiden
had answered yes" and naught remained
but to gain the consent of father who had
never denied her aught.
1t was a ten-mile ride from the Rectory
of Llanferant to Evan Davies pleasant
farm; but lover does not mind distance,
and. besides, the stalwart young farmers
black horse was as fleet as any in all the
principality, and bore his master swiftly
along dusty or w-besprinkled roads, in
the two years of his wooing of the rector's
daughter.
Very sure of foot, and 1.-THE as grey
hound was the bonnie black, which Evan
himself had raised and trained: and pretty
Ellen Morgan's grey eyes would light with
loving pride when she watched steed and
rider come towards Llanferant as the sun
was setting, and turn in at the drive which
led TO the Rectory door.
Two years of wooing entitled Evan TO the
privilege of speaking to Mr.. Morgan, which
he did, after first having Ellen's consent :;
and the good old man blessed the young
people, and prayed him to smile upon their
love.
q shall be very lonely without my
child,n he said, wistfully; but we who
have the great Joy of true and tender love
given to our youth, must not shadow by
our selfshness the same sun light for
others. ! shall miss my child; but she
loves you, and you will make her happy.
From my empty nest | will watch the
heart of my daughter, and while l know it
holds no care, | will thank Heaven that
good mans love is about her; for am old,
and the hour is not far distant when |
shall become part of deaths reaping
When summer is past, you may come for
Ellen. Go to her and tell her that send
my blessing with you. She Is in the gar
den"
And the strong young lover sought
Ellen, while the frail old father, to whom
she was eyes and hands, and needed aid,
bowed his white head on his desk, and re-
membered his own day of youth and love
and high-beating heart, and tried not to
think OF the seeming ingratitude of youth
TO which il is akin.
Il was 10 o'clock when Evan mounted
for his homeward ride, and the stars had
vanished under dark, pale-hke clouds
there was no moon, the air was full of
electricity, and low rumble in the dis
lance warned him that storm would pres
emily break up the calm of the world about
him.
Mr.. Morgan stood at the rectory door, his
kind old face and white hair thrown out by
the light within.
There will be storm" he said. "Do
not 90 to the farm, Even Remain with us
until morning"
Evan gathered up the reins and laughed.
5. My sister would be worried" he said
" / must go home and Eric knows every
foot of the way. No matter how dark il
may be, he will not go wrong. Goodnight,
Mr., Morgan-good-nig Ellen, my lovem
Very tenderly be said the words. his eyes
resting a moment on the slight figure of the
girl, who stood outlined in the light that
flowed from the open door.
Then the black horse sprang forward
with a snort of impotence, there was a ring
OF hoofbeats, and the darkness had taken
the steed and rider.
Ellen turned towards her father and
caught his arm with her two little hands as
a keen, jagged flash of lightning darted
through the eastern sky and crash of
thunder followed on its play.
- ] fear-I fear some harm will befall
him,n she faltered. And if there should
oh, father, father -
Heaven will guard your lover, child -
the old man said reverently.
and as he spoke sharp wind, suddenly
arisen and fraught with rain-drops, smote
his kindly face.
Meanwhile Evan, with his every pulse
beating with joy, was dashing on ana on,
not needing the rain nor worrying about
the way, but leaving the rein loose on Eric 5
neck. and trusting to those fleet hoofs to
bear him safely through the darkness.
On they went, until, by the frequent
flashes of lightning, Evan knew that be
was within mile OF his home. And
then
The springing. sprrning hoofs struck
ringingly on the bridge There was q
crash OF breaking pank-a struggle brief
as a breath, q duh thud, and steed and
rider were flung forward and lay where
they fell, the horse plunging and struggling
maily to free himself for one foot had
gone through, and he WAS held captive.
But Evan Davies lay motionless. with
vivid flashes of wierd, blue light, and his
white face turned upwards to the falling
rain.
Were his love and his life to end so, in
The love which followed his bethrothal?
y
Crippled for iife2 Is that what you
mean, doctor? 1 am never to walk again ?"
You will have TO use crutch, my boy, :"
the old physician said pityingly. Bear it
with a mans patience; you will never step
on thar right foot again"
And Evan turned his face towards the
wall, bearing il with all q strong mans
burning, bitter impotence against such
decree.
They had found HIN in the grey of dawn,
all crushed and senseless-had found the
horse still q prisoner, exhausted and quiet,
with gashes on bis wet sides, and a pteous
discovered that neither man nor beast
would be the same after that night of
storm.
II will free Ellen-I will free her. the
young man whispered when he was left
alone; and Heaven only knew what il cost
him to whisper the words which brought
such a heavy perspiTation out on his fore
head. Il will not keep her 10 her promise
now-I viii not And yet how can live
without her, my sweet tltlle loyeG Crippled
for lile-aye, crippled in heart and body =
losing love and hope as well as strength of
limb Would 10 Heaven my bonny Eric
had trampled oil life out of me, since he
could not bear me safely. But EIlen!-
my sweet Elem
He flung up his arms on the pillows and
crushed his face against them. Short,
strong sobs shook him like a reed.
As he lay so. a slight figure stole up to
his couch pair Of loving hands lifted
his head and Ellen's tender, tear-wei ewes
looked into his
Ny darlingIn she said softly, sis it so
hard TO bear? Can love not make it lighter
for your
Ellen nay lost, lost darlingm
Nay. sweetheart; not lost, but here be-
side you--to stay always, now that you
need me-
And the soft little hands drew his hot.
aching head to her bosom, and held it there
as f0ndly as a mother holds the head of her
weary child.
Ellen, do you know that can never
walk again2 Oh, my love, it is hard to give
you up, but
Evan, what do you mean" The sweet
face of the girl was blanched and tremu-
lous. - know what the doctor says, and.
ah, my dearest, ii is very. very sad But
you are not going to send me away from
you now, when your doing so would kill
me?"